eating and sleeping

If you've taken your toddler to your favorite restaurant and you can still show your face there, you've really accomplished something. But there's a good chance that you're still trying to master the art of taking your toddler out in public without getting embarrassed or creating havoc for those around you.

Nothing can ruin a romantic evening in the bedroom faster than your toddler running in and wanting to sleep between the two of you. If you're lucky, this behavior only happens occasionally during thunderstorms or other frightening events. Some toddlers, however, simply want to sleep with mommy and daddy as often as they'll allow it.

One of the most precious things in the entire world is watching your baby sleep. Their soft breathing, cute face and tiny bodies are enough to just melt your heart. But the kicking and screaming before they fall asleep is enough to drive you crazy!

Once upon a time, parents worried about their kids being out late at night getting into trouble. For many, those days are gone. Now, with volleyball practice, flute lessons, homework, play rehearsals, and the school newspaper, our kids can't find a place to schedule "Getting into Trouble" on their Blackberries. But our kids are also having trouble finding time to relax, sleep, and spend time with family and friends, and this busy lifestyle is beginning to take its toll.

Few doubt the benefits of healthy eating for kids. In the short term, a healthy diet improves behavior and performance in school, and in the long term, it decreases the risk of cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. This is why most parents fight the good fight: despite their kids' adamant protests, parents limit McDonalds, force-feed some vegetables, and restrict junk food before meals.

Anyone who has ever seen "A Christmas Story" certainly understands the value of teaching your child good table manners. In one of scene of this holiday classic, the mother, in an attempt to get her child to eat his mashed potatoes, asks her son to show her "how the piggies eat."

As a father with a sweet tooth, this may seem like a tough one. However, I have found that encouraging healthy eating habits is quite simple. Being a fan of modeling correct behaviors for my two little girls, I just hoard all the chocolate I can handle at the office (I kid...sort of) and then eat all my fruits and vegetables, like a good little boy, while at home.